Oaklawn news: Shotgun Kowboy returns; Leofric to bypass meet

Oaklawn Barn Notes

January 28, 2019 10:33am

Photo: Remington Park/Dustin Orona Photo

Millionaire Shotgun Kowboy has recorded two workouts this season atOaklawn Park, including a 5-furlong move Saturday morning in preparation for his 7-year-old debut.“Got one more work and then we’ll look for a spot for him to go,” breeder/owner/trainer C.R. Trout said.

Shotgun Kowboy eclipsed $1 million in career earnings with an allowance victory last February atOaklawnand won the $200,000 Lone Star Park Handicap (G3) May 27 at Lone Star Park. The gelding went off form in his final two starts last year, finishing fifth in the $150,000 Zia Park Championship Handicap Nov. 21 at Zia Park and seventh in the $75,000 Jeffrey A. Hawk Memorial Stakes Dec. 16 at Remington Park.

“We don’t throw him to the wolves as much as we used to,” Trout said. “We’re just going to pick and choose our spots. The last two times on off tracks … he’s just got now where he won’t run on off tracks. We’ll look for a spot where the track’s good.”

Shotgun Kowboy, an Oklahoma-bred son of Kodiak Kowboy, has amassed $1,375,501 in career earnings after winning 13 of 33 starts.

Asked if 2019 will be Shotgun Kowboy’s final year to race, Trout said he’ll leave that up to the horse.

“He’s never had a dime’s worth of trouble anywhere, feet, ankles, knees, nothing,” Trout said. “I’ll let him tell us. When he does, we’ll make a stable pony out of him.”

Trout said Shotgun Kowboy will probably resurface in an allowance race.

...TrainerBrad Coxsaid Saturday morning that “he’s looking for a race” for stakes-winningHigh Northand unbeatenExclamation Point. High North won the $150,000 Northern Spur Stakes for 3-year-olds last year atOaklawnfor ownerJohn Ed Anthonyof Hot Springs. Exclamation Point, a 4-year-old half-brother to champion and 2017 Arkansas Derby winnerClassic Empire, won his first two career starts last year atOaklawn.

...Four-timeOaklawnwinnerLeofric(foot) will not race at the meeting, Cox said Saturday morning. Leofric finished second in the $500,000 Razorback Handicap (G3) last year atOaklawnand won the $500,000 Clark Handicap (G1) Nov. 23 at Churchill Downs in his last start. Leofric is owned by prominent Arkansas automobile dealerSteve Landers, a member of the Arkansas Racing Commission.